The president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, along with the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, will undertake an official visit to the city of Oporto (Portugal) on Monday to observe the operations of the Metro do Porto, a light rail system noted for its “efficiency, intermodality, and adaptation to the territory”.
The delegation from Tenerife will also include the managing director of Metaranife, Pedro Ribeiro, and the project director, Raúl Parra, who will join the president and the minister during this workday to evaluate solutions applicable to public transport in Tenerife.
This visit forms part of the Cabildo’s strategy for the enhancement of rail infrastructure on the island, particularly concerning the planning of the South Train, the tram extension, and the anticipated northern train, as specified in a statement from the island institution.
The Cabildo de Tenerife indicates that the Portuguese city of Porto is a “benchmark” in sustainable and integrated public transport, and its model will serve as a foundation for investigating applicable solutions for Tenerife.
Furthermore, during their time in the neighbouring country, the president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Rosa Dávila, and the Mobility Minister will meet with the persons responsible for the Metro do Porto, to gain first-hand insight into the functioning of its light rail network.
It is noted that this infrastructure links the city with its metropolitan region, including the airport, via six lines that total 67 kilometres of travel and operate with 102 vehicles produced by Bombardier.
The Tenerife delegation will traverse various sections of the network to assess its operation both on the surface and within underground tunnels, depending on urban requirements and passenger flow in each city area, as reported by the Cabildo.
The visit will encompass an assessment of the Train-TRAM system on adjacent lines, a model that facilitates the movement of light trains in interurban areas without the necessity for extensive railway infrastructure.
Oporto features two nearby-operating lines with trains-tram, which has enhanced connections between the urban centre and outlying areas using an agile and efficient model.
The delegation will also familiarise itself with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiative, an investment in intermediate solutions bridging the tram and traditional bus systems. This developing system will span 3.8 kilometres and aims to elevate mobility in high-demand corridors without requiring railway infrastructure.
Additionally, the island’s president and minister will examine the mixed operation of the tram system, a crucial element contributing to the success of the Metro do Porto.
Its blend of surface operations, underground tunnels, and nearby sections allows for enhanced operational flexibility, adapting to the city’s geography and optimising travel times.
The visit will culminate in a session for conclusions, during which insights will be exchanged with the individuals responsible for the Porto transport system, evaluating its implications for mobility and its prospective application in other contexts.
The Metro Do Porto has gained international acclaim for its pioneering approach to urban design and transport planning. In 2008, it was awarded the UITP accolade for the finest new light metro system, and in 2013, the prestigious Veronica Rudge Green Prize in Urban Design was bestowed upon it by Harvard University.
More recently, in 2020, its Viaduct Das Andresas received recognition at the Global Future Design Awards in the transport design category.
The Tenerife council emphasises that these accolades reinforce Porto’s status as a leader in sustainable mobility across Europe, and that its light metro model and Train-Tram could offer groundbreaking solutions to the mobility issues currently faced by Tenerife.
